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Sneak Peek: Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad, Switzerland

Gstaad’s oldest palace hotel reemerges as Le Grand Bellevue for a new generation of luxury travelers.

Why Go: “Imaginative and spoiling” and “room for innovation and a dash of sassiness” are words the new owners of the 57-room Le Grand Bellevue used to describe their vision for the 101-year-old property. A friendly, neighborhood spirit now hovers over the former Grand Hotel Bellevue, just off the Gstaad Promenade in the heart of town. All-in-one guest-service agents greet travelers, facilitate tablet-enabled check-in, and handle concierge requests. Children are welcomed to a colorful play area adjacent to the Grand Spa and to daily animated movies playing in the 18-seat house cinema.

What to Expect: Atelier Zurich design firm revamped the hotel with bold paint colors like teal and orange on the walls and bespoke furnishings covered in playful prints featuring stripes and insects, as well as hanging birdcage chairs. A life-size stuffed camel named Leonard stands outside Leonard’s restaurant, helmed by chef Urs Gschwend, who earned a Michelin star at the hotel’s former Prado restaurant and was recently awarded one for his work at Leonard’s as well. There is also a 10,000-bottle wine cellar and a cigar lounge, along with an 18-seat fondue restaurant housed in a miniature pine chalet. You can enjoy classical-music festivals during the summer, and Gstaad Mountain Rides, one of Switzerland’s largest resorts, is open for skiing, snowboarding, toboggan runs, and winter hiking from October to May. Rates start at about $425 including breakfast.

How to Get There: Take the scenic route from Montreux to Gstaad aboard the historic Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway line; request a seat in a Golden Pass Panoramic carriage for the best views. Zurich is under three hours by car, and Geneva is a two-hour drive. (+41.33.748.00.00, www.bellevue-gstaad.com)